Celebrating the 6th International Day of Conscience and the UN's Adoption of the International Day of Hope at the United Nations in Vienna
Igniting the Light of Hope Through Conscience-Driven Actions
To celebrate the 6th International Day of Conscience, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Bahrain to the United Nations in Vienna, the Flame of Peace, and the DIGNITY Foundation, co-hosted the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace at the UN headquarters in Vienna on April 2, 2025.
More than 100 distinguished guests from various sectors gathered for meaningful discussions under the theme: "Awakening the Inner Voice: From Reflection to Action in Times of Crisis." The event featured speeches by four former heads of state, while five ambassadors and Deputy Permanent Representatives to the UN in Vienna rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, underscoring the importance of awakening conscience and igniting hope as key drivers of global peace and sustainability.
The summit also celebrated the United Nations’ recent adoption of a resolution designating July 12 as the International Day of Hope. Following the UN’s designation of the International Day of Conscience in 2019, the establishment of the International Day of Hope marks another significant milestone in strengthening global unity through love, peace, and hope.
Opening Remarks: Uniting Global Forces for Peace
In his welcoming speech, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, remarked, “Whenever disasters strike around the world, people long for conscience to guide global affairs, just as they yearn for sunlight to pierce through the darkness of a cave. The International Day of Conscience and the International Day of Hope aim to inspire individuals to rediscover the moral compass deep within their hearts—one that guides them in distinguishing truth from falsehood, right from wrong, and good from evil.”
He further explained that “these observances inspire people to embrace the power of hope and act with conscience. They encourage global citizens to uphold humanity’s core values, work together for the common good, and benefit all people through collective initiatives.”
Dr. Vinzenz von Holle, President of the DIGNITY Foundation, expressed gratitude to the UN for recognizing the significance of promoting peace, conscience, and dignity in today's world. He emphasized that unity makes us stronger and enables us to accomplish more, urging everyone to use this collective strength to bring about positive change for a better world.Four
Former Heads of State Support FOWPAL’s Global Peace Efforts
The summit received high-level attention from multiple world leaders, including four former presidents, who delivered speeches expressing their support for FOWPAL’s global promotion of conscience and peace.
Former President Mohamed Moncef Marzouki of Tunisia emphasized, “We are here to celebrate the 6th International Day of Conscience. We have the right, the duty, and the pleasure to celebrate peace, love, and dignity. But we have also to face the complex situation of the world; otherwise, we wouldn't be able to tackle the complex situation where we are.”
Former President Filip Vujanović of Montenegro expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for initiating the International Day of Conscience and praised FOWPAL and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze for their lifelong dedication to the most fundamental global values. He said, “Dr. Hong, you are absolutely right. Conscience is the driving force for love and peace. With conscience, comes a peaceful world. It's true.”
Former President Rosalia Arteaga Serrano of Ecuador underscored the importance of education in fostering hope, inclusivity, and conscience, pointing out that the best way to achieve the goals of hope, tolerance, and conscience is through education. She also pointed out the need to educate the new generation and to look within oneself to find the inner voice.
Former President Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona of Trinidad and Tobago called on global citizens to embrace conscience and resilient hope: “Today, if each of us here inspires our global citizens to walk with us on this road of hope, buttressed by the voice of conscience, this world of ours will be a better, greater, more peaceful and happier place. This is no pipe dream.”
Dr. Akkan Suver, President of the Marmara Group Foundation and a long-time supporter and participant in various activities of FOWPAL, emphasized that conscience is the core value of human existence. He expressed his gratitude to FOWPAL for promoting the ideals of conscience, love, and peace, and praised Dr. Hong Tao-Tze for his foresight in initiating the International Day of Conscience.
Five Ambassadors Ring the Bell of Peace, Awakening Conscience and Inspiring Hope
A solemn Bell Ringing Ceremony of the Bell of World Peace and Love was held at the summit, where five ambassadors and deputy representatives to the United Nations Office in Vienna jointly rang the bell. The distinguished participants included Ambassador Salahaldin Abdalshafi of Palestine, Ambassador Magdi Ahmed Mofadal Elnour of Sudan, Deputy Permanent Representative Zakaria Youssoufi of Morocco, Deputy Permanent Representative Adeel Ahmad Khan of Pakistan, and Peter Schatzer, Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean to the UN (Vienna).
As the resonant chime echoed through the venue, each ambassador expressed their heartfelt wishes for peace, reaffirming their commitment to fostering love and harmony.
Ambassador Magdi Ahmed Mofadal Elnour of Sudan conveyed his sincere support for FOWPAL’s peace efforts, stating, “I wish FOWPAL all the best in their efforts to achieve peace in our troubled world. Together, we can make it.”
Deputy Permanent Representative Adeel Ahmad Khan of Pakistan wished for global peace and harmony, emphasizing.
Ambassador Salahaldin Abdalshafi of Palestine called for an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people and the liberation of Palestine from occupation and oppression.
Deputy Permanent Representative Zakaria Youssoufi of Morocco expressed his vision of a world where all humankind lives in love, security, and prosperity.
Peter Schatzer, Permanent Observer of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, stressed the need for long-lasting peace in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Honoring Global Leaders with Art for Peace
To commemorate this significant United Nations conference, Dr. Hong specially presented each bell-ringer with a unique art painting from the Hong Tao Tze Foundation’s collection. Each painting conveys the spirit of human harmony and friendship, the sustainable coexistence of humanity and nature, and contains positive energy that inspires hope and conscience. It is our sincere wishes that leaders will harness the power of conscience and hope to change the world and benefit all.
Spreading the Butterfly Effect of Conscience and Igniting the Light of Hope
As the International Day of Conscience approached, participants also celebrated the newly declared UN International Day of Hope. The host highlighted that these two observances not only emphasize love, peace, and unity but also foster global cooperation and inspire hope for the future.
Ambassador Teburoro Tito of Kiribati to the UN (New York) addressed the gathering via video, describing the celebration as a significant milestone that fulfills a vision set six years ago. He urged everyone to reaffirm their commitment to combating actions that threaten human peace, harmony, and happiness by embracing the inner voice of conscience.
Following his remarks, participant Manfred Konrad underscored the importance of elevating human conscience, emphasizing that connecting with the heart allows individuals to discover love, peace, and harmony. Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged the shared messages and ongoing efforts to promote these values. Another attendee, Marcus Giers, emphasized the transformative power of love, stating, "Let's not lose faith in all the beauty and love in life and the fact that love is the strongest power on earth. Our faith is a key to all of this.”